Why hire a Fly Fishing Guide?

When I used to work in a fly shop and currently as a fly fishing guide I get asked all the time by people why they should hire a fly fishing guide.  My answer is that you hire a fly fishing guide to better learn the sport, learn the area you plan to fish, and outfit yourself with the proper equipment.  Education, instruction, and getting the most enjoyment out of your time on the water are the primary reasons to hire a fly fishing guide.

Here’s reasons why people don’t hire a fly fishing guide:

• Maybe it’s an activity they can teach themselves to do. 
•  Maybe they think it costs too much money to “go fishing”.  
• Maybe they don’t have the time commitment.  
• Maybe they want to fish on their own schedule, not someone else’s.

Here’s reasons people should hire a fly fishing guide:

• Education:  While there’s enough information out there to teach yourself the sport, it takes a lot of time and effort to decipher the good information from the bad information.  A good fly fishing guide who is a good instructor can teach you more in 8 hours than you’ll learn on your own in 6 months.  This education provides you with a solid foundation for learning the sport because you’re being steered in the right direction.  A good guide can also provide consultation on proper equipment and tackle selection so that you buy it right the first time or tweak the existing tackle you have to make it perform better for you.
  
  
• Cost:  While $400 for a day with a fly fishing guide may seem expensive it really is a good value if you consider it a learning tool.  How much did you pay for your Associates, Bachelors, Master’s, or PHD Degrees and why did you pursue them?  I’ll bet it was to better yourself professionally.  Think of a guide fee as tuition in your fly fishing learning.  Fly fishing guides’ hourly rates are less than a doctor, dentist, attorney, or CPA; and I bet you’ll have more fun with a fishing guide.
  
  
• Time Commitment:  While an 8 hour day may seem like a big commitment for 1 activity, it’s really not.  I always tell my half day clients that time goes by quickly on the river, and those who get it realize they need to do a full day next time to get the most out of the trip.
  
  
• Schedule:  While a guide trip with a good guide requires some advanced planning and is not an impulse outing, I can work with anybody’s schedule.  I have peak fishing times on my web site to make it easier for clients to book at the right time of the year for specific insect hatches or fish species not the wrong time.
  
  

Whether you’re just getting started on your fly fishing journey or an experienced fly angler who wants to learn new techniques or tune up your skill set hire a fly fishing guide you won’t regret it. Remember, you can always book your next fly fishing trip here.

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